HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - July 29, 2025, Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Policy Committee1
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES
AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
TRANSPORTATION POLICY COMMITTEE
AMES, IOWA JULY 29, 2025
The Special Meeting of the Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) was
called to order by Ames Mayor and voting member John Haila at 6:00 p.m. on the 29th day
of July 2025, in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, pursuant to law.
Other voting members present were: Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen, City of Ames; Tim Gartin, City
of Ames; Rachel Junck, City of Ames; and Anita Rollins, City of Ames. Gloria Betcher, City
of Ames, and Linda Murken, Story County Board of Supervisors, Jon Popp, Mayor of Gilbert
and Scott Longhorn, Boone County Board of Supervisors. Amber Corrieri City of Ames, and
Ex officio Emily Boland were absent.
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Beatty-Hansen to approve consent
agenda.
1. Motion approving Minutes from Special AAMPO meeting on June 17, 2025
Vote on Motion: 8-0 Motion declared carried/adopted unanimously, signed by the Chair and
hereby made a portion of these Minutes.
AMES 2050 METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN, AMES CONNECT 2050:
Transportation Planner Kyle Thompson introduced the presentation on the draft 2050
Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). Transportation Planner Thompson introduced
Jason Carbee from HRD, consultant on the project. Consultant Carbee provided an overview
of the 10-chapter plan, covering the introduction, regional profile, existing conditions, public
engagement, future conditions, alternatives development, funding, fiscally constrained plan,
environmental analysis, and federal compliance. He highlighted the anticipated 27% growth
in population, households, and jobs by 2050, with a corresponding 35% increase in vehicle
miles traveled.
Committee members asked questions about several aspects of the plan .
Traffic Engineer Damion Pregitzer explained that the model provides the most robust data
for vehicles, with good data on transit ridership and pedestrian counts, but noted the model
does not assume aggressive modal shifts or land use changes.
Several committee members asked questions about specific roadway projects shown on the
alternatives map, including East Riverside Road improvements and connection to I-35,
Dayton Road improvements, proposed roundabouts in the North Ames area near Cameron
School Road and G.W. Carver, bicycle/pedestrian connectivity between the Irons
neighborhood, Northridge Heights, and Rose Prairie development and future widening of
South Duff Avenue.
Traffic Engineer Pregitzer noted that projects are prioritized based on data and safety criteria,
and that the plan is updated every five years, allowing for regular reassessment of priorities.
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Transportation Planner Thompson explained that since the June meeting, one change to the
plan was the addition of the Skunk River Trail B145 project in the short-term timeframe, which
caused some mid-to-long-term projects to be adjusted.
Transportation Planner Thompson requested the committee approve the draft plan and set
a public hearing date for September 23, 2025.
Moved by Betcher, seconded by Murken to approve the Draft 2050 Metropolitan
Transportation Plan, Ames Connect 2050, and set September 23, 2025, as the date of public
hearing.
Vote on Motion: 8-0. Motion declared carried unanimously, signed by Chair, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
COMPREHENSIVE SAFTEY ACTION PLAN: Consultant Jonathan Markt presented the
Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP), explaining that it aligns with the MTP but focuses
specifically on safety. He outlined the plan's chapters, which include an introduction to the
safe system approach, the planning structure with a 2050 target year, safety analysis, public
engagement, policy recommendations, project strategies, and a safety management
process.
The plan identifies a high priority network based on analysis of fatal and serious injury
crashes from 2017-2023, as well as risk factors such as speeding. The highest priority
projects are concentrated within Ames city limits where data shows the greatest safety
concerns. Recommended safety improvements include intersection reconfigurations, raised
medians for access management, and roundabouts at high -risk locations.
Committee members and staff engaged in discussion.
Transportation Planner Thompson noted that the plan would be made available for public
comment online, with a public hearing scheduled for September 23, 2025.
Moved by Gartin, seconded by Murken to approve the Draft Comprehensive Safety Action
Plan and set September 23, 2025, as the date of public hearing.
Vote on Motion: 8-0. Motion declared carried unanimously, signed by Chair, and hereby
made a portion of these Minutes.
POLICY COMMITTEE COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Betcher, seconded by Popp, to adjourn the meeting at 7:29 p.m.
Vote on Motion: 8-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
Renee Hall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor